Flexible coupling



Aug. 25, 1931. H. c. LORD FLEXIBLE COUPLING Filed March 28, 1928 I r W IN VEN TOR.

4 Q QW its maximum in an axial direction. In carrying during vulcanization under heat, the

Patented Aug. 25, 1931 HUGH 0. L031), 0!, ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA FLEXIBLE COUPLING Application fled Karel 28 1888. Serial No. 285,279.

The present'invention isdesignedto utilize bers of the joint are fixed with the shaft 2.

flexible couplings in which the rubber is put under initial tension and in which the movement to which the coupling is subjected has ing out the invention I utilize an outer annular member, a central member, and an intervening wall of rubber preferably secured to the outer and inner members by surface bondshrinkage of the rubber in cooling putting the rubber under initial tension. With such a joint the resistance to radial movement is several times, usually five or six times, reater in a radial direction than in an axia direction, and in very many situations a minimum of radial movement is desired with a comparative freedom of axial movement and in such situations this joint has peculiar advanta es. Features and details of the invention in resisting The shafts are shown out of alinement. The flexible join that under t ts are of suflicient capacit so he normal load their radia (leflection is very slight but the deflection of 68 the shafts results in a maximum normal movement in an axial direction of the joint. Inasmuch as it is resistance in the rection as is p0 unitar connection these joints are peculiarly fitted or the purpose in that their resistance to axial movement is so small compared with the radial resistance so that the joints are very resistant to radial movement-both the 6 compression and tension sides of the joint in a radial direction supplementing each other this movement, while the axial movement moves,all the rubber uniformly and sustains the load much as a hammock susdesirable to have as little flexible joint in an axial dissible and still maintain a 00 i 1 appear more f ll fr m the s ecification .tains its load all the rubber being uniformly and claims.

Preferred embodiments of the invention The result is thata with these joint ment of the sh are illustrated in the accompanying drawings as follows-- Fig. 1 shows a central section of a flexible cou ling on the line 1-1 in Fig. 2.

ig. 2 an end view of the coupling.

1 and 2 mark shafts, and 3 a couplin plate keyed to the shaft 1 by a key 4. The s aft is provided with a series of openings 5 in which are pressed with a secure fit outer shells 6. The rubber wall is surface bonded to the shell 6 at its outer periphery and is surface bonded to a sleeve, or central member 8 at the inner periphery of the wall. This bonding is preferably done during vulcanization under heat so that when the rubber cools the shrinkage of the rubber puts this rubber wall under initial tension. There are preferably a plurality of these points in the plate 3. A coupling disc 9 is secured to the shaft 2 by a key 10. It is provided with a series of openings openings through the sleeves 8 and bolts 12 ing.

stretched and distorted with such movement.

flexible coupling operating s even with quite a mis-alme- I afts operates without undue 7 stram on the bearings and while there is a slightcushioning under the torsional load it is not suflicient to be objectionable, in fact, in

some cases may be desirable.

What I claim as new is i 1. In a flexible cou ling, the combination of two rotative. sha s comprisin center joint having its outer. main w th one shaft and its inner member fixed with the other shaft, and a rubber wall un- 35 der initial tension between the outer and in-' ner members.

2. In a flexible coupling, the combination of two rotative shafts comprising an off-center joint having its outer member fixed with one shaft and its inner member fixed with the other shaft; and a. rubber wall under initial tension between the outer and inner 11 which are adapted to register with the members and secured theretoby surface bond- '5 an oil'- extend through the sleeves and openings 11. 3. In a flexible coupling, the combination The nuts set up the bolts so as to clamp the sleeves and lock them with the plate 9. In consequence the outer members of the joint are fixed with the shaft 1 and the inner memhaving its outer 'membe aft and its inner member fixed with the other shaft; and a rubber wall under of two rotative shafts comprising an offcenter joint with one sh initial tension between the outer and inner members and secured thereto by surface bonding durin vulcanization under heat.

4. In a flexi 1e coupling, the combination of two rotative shafts comprising an off-center joint having its outer member fixed with one shaft and its inner member fixed with the other shaft, and a rubber wall under initial tension between the outer and inner members, the angularity of the shafts subjecting the members in the normal operation to a maximum relative movement in an axial direction.

5. In a flexible coupling, the combination of two rotative shafts comprising an off-center joint having its outer member fixed with one shaft and its inner member fixed with the other shaft; and a rubber wall under initial tension between the outer and inner members and secured thereto bysurface bonding,the angularit of the shafts subjecting the members in t e normal operation to a maximum relative movement in an axial direction.

6. In a flexible coupling, the combination of two rotative shafts comprising an offcenter joint having its outer member fixed with one shaft and its inner member fixed with the other shaft; and a rubber wall under initial tension between the outer and inner members and secured thereto by surface bonding during vulcanization under heat the angularity of the shafts subjecting the members in the normal operation to a maximum relative movement in an axial direction.

7. In a flexible cou ling, the combination of .two rotative shafts comprising an offcenter joint havin' its outer member fixed with one shaft an its inner member fixed with the other shaft; and a rubber wall be tween the outer and inner members, the rubber wall having its outer and innersurfaces locked with the inner and outer surfaces of the outer and inner members respectively.

8. In a flexible coupling, the combination of two rotative shafts comprising an ofi-center joint having its outer member fixed with one shaft and its inner member fixed with the other shaft; and a rubber wall between the outer and inner members, the rubber wall havin its outer and inner surfaces locked with t e inner and outer surfaces of the outer and inner members respectivel the locking of one of said surfaces being by vulcanization.

9. In a flexible coupling, the combination of two rotative shafts comprising an off-center joint having its outer member fixed with one shaft and its inner member fixed with the other shaft; and a rubber wall between the outer and inner members, the rubber wall having its outer and inner surfaces locked with the inner and outer surfaces of the outer and inner members respectively, the angular- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

HUGH- C. LORD. 

